Savings-Driven Slow-Cooker Beef Stew

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-05 · Updated 2026-04-05

A hearty, budget-friendly stew that simmers all day for tender beef and rich flavor without expensive cuts. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast, medium, peeled and chopped carrots, medium, peeled and cubed potatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast
• 3 medium, peeled and chopped carrots
• 2 medium, peeled and cubed potatoes
• 1 medium, chopped onion
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the beef in batches (do not overcrowd), about 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned.
2. Step 2: Transfer browned beef to a slow cooker. Add 3 chopped medium carrots, 2 cubed medium potatoes, 1 chopped medium onion, 4 cups beef broth, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 2 bay leaves.
3. Step 3: Stir to combine, cover, and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
4. Step 4: Discard bay leaves, then adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot with crusty bread for dipping.